Virtual Library of Clairvaux (National Library of France)
Founded in 1147 by Robert, Earl of Gloucester, Margam Abbey was a Cistercian Abbey of the Mother House Clairvaux - its dissolution came about in 1536 and was the first abbey to fall under the Dissolution of the Monastries by King Henry VIII. As Margam Abbey was a Cistercian Abbey of the Mother House Clairvaux & thanks to the National Library of France, Paris - The Virtual Library of Clairvaux (with its 1,150 manuscripts) has been made available online to view. This should provide an in invaluable online resource for writers & researchers on the history of the monastic life of Clairvaux in France and its connections with Margam Abbey and in-directly the Kenfig & surrounding areas.
Library of Clairvaux in 1472
With a remaining collection of 1450 manuscripts to which are added 400 incunabula & printed documents dating from the 15th century, the collection from Clairvaux is the 1st known French Medieval collection. The Abbey of Clairvaux was established in 1115 AD by Bernard de Fontaines. The abbot of Citeaux entrusted Bernard with the mission to establish a new abbey - he settled in the valley of Absinthe on the left side of the river Aube. New buildings were built to welcome more numerous novices and this place became a well-known monastic centre of the Christendom. By the end of the Middle Ages, another 530 other abbeys were established all over Europe.
From the initial foundation of the abbey, books are omnipresent as monastic life was not possible without them. The minimum required for a foundation was to own the liturgical books as well as the Rules of Saint Benoit. From 1140 AD the library of Clairvaux became a rich place which held the attention of men of letters in search or rare texts. By the end of the 12th century the library had a number of volumes of between 300 & 350 items. The classification by Unesco recognizes the international interest & the exceptional worldwide character of the preserved collection.
Virtual Library of Clairvaux (National Library of France)
https://www.bibliotheque-virtuelle-clairvaux.com/
webpage researcher/author
Copyright © Rob Bowen, Kenfig.org Local Community Group, 2016
Library of Clairvaux in 1472
With a remaining collection of 1450 manuscripts to which are added 400 incunabula & printed documents dating from the 15th century, the collection from Clairvaux is the 1st known French Medieval collection. The Abbey of Clairvaux was established in 1115 AD by Bernard de Fontaines. The abbot of Citeaux entrusted Bernard with the mission to establish a new abbey - he settled in the valley of Absinthe on the left side of the river Aube. New buildings were built to welcome more numerous novices and this place became a well-known monastic centre of the Christendom. By the end of the Middle Ages, another 530 other abbeys were established all over Europe.
From the initial foundation of the abbey, books are omnipresent as monastic life was not possible without them. The minimum required for a foundation was to own the liturgical books as well as the Rules of Saint Benoit. From 1140 AD the library of Clairvaux became a rich place which held the attention of men of letters in search or rare texts. By the end of the 12th century the library had a number of volumes of between 300 & 350 items. The classification by Unesco recognizes the international interest & the exceptional worldwide character of the preserved collection.
Virtual Library of Clairvaux (National Library of France)
https://www.bibliotheque-virtuelle-clairvaux.com/
webpage researcher/author
Copyright © Rob Bowen, Kenfig.org Local Community Group, 2016